Real-time PCR in HIV/Trypanosoma cruzi coinfection with and without Chagas disease reactivation: association with HIV viral load and CD4 level

Background

Reactivation of chronic Chagas disease, which occurs in approximately 20% of patients coinfected with HIV/Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is commonly characterized by severe meningoencephalitis and myocarditis. The use of quantitative molecular tests to monitor Chagas disease reactivation was analyzed.

Methodology

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of kDNA sequences, competitive (C-) PCR and real-time quantitative (q) PCR were compared with blood cultures and xenodiagnosis in samples from 91 patients (57 patients with chronic Chagas disease and 34 with HIV/T. cruzi coinfection), of whom 5 had reactivation of Chagas disease and 29 did not.

Principal Findings

qRT-PCR showed significant differences between groups; the highest parasitemia was observed in patients infected with HIV/T. cruzi with Chagas disease reactivation (median 1428.90 T. cruzi/mL), followed by patients with HIV/T. cruzi infection without reactivation (median 1.57 T. cruzi/mL) and patients with Chagas disease without HIV (median 0.00 T. cruzi/mL). Spearman''s correlation coefficient showed that xenodiagnosis was correlated with blood culture, C-PCR and qRT-PCR. A stronger Spearman correlation index was found between C-PCR and qRT-PCR, the number of parasites and the HIV viral load, expressed as the number of CD4⁺ cells or the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio.

Conclusions

qRT-PCR distinguished the groups of HIV/T. cruzi coinfected patients with and without reactivation. Therefore, this new method of qRT-PCR is proposed as a tool for prospective studies to analyze the importance of parasitemia (persistent and/or increased) as a criterion for recommending pre-emptive therapy in patients with chronic Chagas disease with HIV infection or immunosuppression. As seen in this study, an increase in HIV viral load and decreases in the number of CD4⁺ cells/mm³ and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were identified as cofactors for increased parasitemia that can be used to target the introduction of early, pre-emptive therapy.     

Pandemic influenza due to pH1N1/2009 virus: estimation of infection burden in Reunion Island through a prospective serosurvey, austral winter 2009

Background

To date, there is little information that reflects the true extent of spread of the pH1N1/2009v influenza pandemic at the community level as infection often results in mild or no clinical symptoms. This study aimed at assessing through a prospective study, the attack rate of pH1N1/2009 virus in Reunion Island and risk factors of infection, during the 2009 season.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A serosurvey was conducted during the 2009 austral winter, in the frame of a prospective population study. Pairs of sera were collected from 1687 individuals belonging to 772 households, during and after passage of the pandemic wave. Antibodies to pH1N1/2009v were titered using the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA) with titers ≥1/40 being considered positive. Seroprevalence during the first two weeks of detection of pH1N1/2009v in Reunion Island was 29.8% in people under 20 years of age, 35.6% in adults (20–59 years) and 73.3% in the elderly (≥60 years) (P<0.0001). Baseline corrected cumulative incidence rates, were 42.9%, 13.9% and 0% in these age groups respectively (P<0.0001). A significant decline in antibody titers occurred soon after the passage of the epidemic wave. Seroconversion rates to pH1N1/2009 correlated negatively with age: 63.2%, 39.4% and 16.7%, in each age group respectively (P<0.0001). Seroconversion occurred in 65.2% of individuals who were seronegative at inclusion compared to 6.8% in those who were initially seropositive.

Conclusions

Seroincidence of pH1N1/2009v infection was three times that estimated from clinical surveillance, indicating that almost two thirds of infections occurring at the community level have escaped medical detection. People under 20 years of age were the most affected group. Pre-epidemic titers ≥1/40 prevented seroconversion and are likely protective against infection. A concern was raised about the long term stability of the antibody responses.     

Effect of Orally Administered Prostaglandin E2 and its 15-Methyl Analogues on Gastric Secretion

The effect of orally administered prostaglandin E₂ and its synthetic 15-methyl analogues on gastric secretion in man was studied. The parent E₂ compound did not inhibit basal secretion, whereas both the 15 (S) 15-methyl-E₂ methyl ester and its isomer, 15 (R) 15-methyl-E₂ methyl ester inhibited basal acid secretion. This action is likely to be a direct one on the parietal cell, and it could prove of value in the treatment of peptic ulcer.     

离子交换层析结合反向色谱纯化聚二氨基丙酸

ε-聚赖氨酸生产菌株Streptomyces albulus PD-1可合成一种新型非蛋白质氨基酸均聚物聚二氨基丙酸,采用离子交换层析和反向色谱,对聚二氨基丙酸的分离纯化进行研究。离子交换层析柱选用DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow填料,50 mmol/L磷酸盐缓冲液(p H 7.5)平衡上样,含0.5 mol/L Na Cl的磷酸盐缓冲液(p H 7.5)洗脱,收集洗脱液用分子筛Sephadex G-25除去磷酸盐缓冲液。然后用C18反相色谱进一步纯化,流动相为V(甲醇)/V(0.1%磷酸)=5/95。经过离子交换层析和反向色谱,纯化得到聚二氨基丙酸纯品,回收率为39.8%,样品纯度达98.4%,为后续的聚二氨基丙酸的深入研究奠定基础。     

Sphaerotilus natans,a Neutrophilic Iron-Related Sheath-Forming Bacterium: Perspectives for Metal Remediation Strategies

Sphaerotilus natans is a neutrophilic sheath-forming microorganism from the Sphaerotilus-Leptothrix group of iron-related bacteria, known to form bacteriogenic iron oxides (BIOS) frequently deposited on cell surfaces as well as on sheaths and extracellular polymeric substances. S. natans has been reported to be an excellent sorbent for inorganic pollutants, either due to direct sorption onto biological surfaces or due to sorption onto BIOS. However, its filaments can cause bulking problems in wastewater treatment plants. This article promotes the potential applications of Sphaerotilus natans in bioremediation by reviewing its physiology and the fundamental understanding of sheath-forming mechanisms as well as iron biomineralization processes.     

Evidence for Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Its First Molecular Characterization in Captive Mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo

To determine the occurrence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo and to assess their zoonotic significance, 200 fecal samples from 32 mammalian species were examined using a nested PCR and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 16.5% (33/200) of the samples. Seven different ITS genotypes were identified, including two known genotypes (D and J) and five new ones (BAN4 to BAN8). Genotype D was the most common genotype being observed in 19 isolates. In phylogenetic analysis, four genotypes (D, BAN4, BAN5, and BAN6), detected in 30 isolates (90.9%), belonged to Group 1 having zoonotic potential. The sequence of genotype J found in a Malayan pangolin was clustered in so‐called ruminant‐specific Group 2. The other two genotypes BAN7 and BAN8 were clustered in primate‐specific Group 5. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in Bangladesh, particularly in captive‐bred wildlife in this country. The potentially zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi are maintained in zoo mammals that may transmit among these animals and to the humans through environmental contamination or contact.     

Puerarin Ameliorates 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats: Possible Neuromodulation and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside), a major isoflavone glycoside purified from Pueraria lobata, is well reported to have a neuroprotective effect primarily by the antioxidant mechanisms. This investigation was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Puerarin (Pur) to offset 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity. Male Wistar strain rats were given 3-NP (20 mg/kg, s.c.) over five consecutive days, whereas Pur (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was administrated 30 min before 3-NP. Rats treated with 3-NP exhibited significant weight loss, reduction of the prepulse inhibition, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. The striata, hippocampi and cortices of the 3-NP treated rats showed abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, oxidative damage and characteristic histopathological lesions. Treatment with Pur ahead of 3-NP, significantly prevented weight loss, PPI deficit, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. Pur treatment blocked the 3-NP-induced neurotransmitters abnormalities (GABA, DA, 5-HT and NE), and normalized the oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase). Histopathological examination further affirmed Pur’s neuroprotective effect against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity. In conclusion, Pur protected the brain tissues from 3-NP induced neurotoxicity primarily by its neuromodulation and antioxidant effect.     

Physical and chemical mutagens improved Sporotrichum thermophile,strain ST20 for enhanced Phytase activity

ObjectivePhosphorous is an essential micronutrient of plants and involved in critical biological functions. In nature, phosphorous is mostly present in immobilized inorganic mineral and in the fixed organic form including phytic acid and phosphoesteric compounds. However, the bioavailability of bound phosphorous could be enhanced by the use of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The phytases are widespread in an environment and have been isolated from different sources comprising bacteria and fungi.MethodologyIn current studies, we show the successful use of gamma rays and EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate) mutagenesis for enhanced activity of phytases in a fungal strain Sporotrichum thermophile.ResultsWe report an improved strain ST2 that could produce a clear halo zone around the colony, up to 24 mm. The maximum enzymatic activity was found of 382 U/mL on pH 5.5. However, the phytase activity was improved to 387 U/ml at 45 °C. We also report that the mutants produced through EMS showed the greater potential for phytase production.ConclusionThe current study highlights the potential of EMS mutagenesis for strain improvement over physical mutagens.     

植被覆盖度对夏季降温效应的影响——以内蒙古为例

随着全球变暖的加剧,区域热环境问题日益凸显,植被的降温作用逐渐得到广泛关注。目前已有的研究多从样地尺度分析不同类型植被的降温效应。而区域尺度的研究多从定性的角度揭示地表温度与植被覆盖的关系,对评估植被的实际降温效应具有一定的局限性。以内蒙古为研究区,以MODIS地表温度数据为基础,采用近邻分析法,将森林、灌丛和草地的MODIS地表温度与相邻5km范围内的低覆盖地表作为对照,分析植被的降温效应以及植被覆盖度对降温效应的影响。从2015年7月地表温度平均值的结果来看,降温度数在蒙东、蒙中和蒙甘区均呈现森林>灌丛>草地。森林的降温范围在0.67-1.03℃,灌丛为0.60-0.95℃,草地为0.47-0.86℃。植被降温度数与植被覆盖度的回归拟合为对数分布,均呈显著正相关（P<0.01）。且在不同的植被覆盖度范围内植被降温效应具有显著差异,植被覆盖度水平较低时（<40%）,植被覆盖度的增加能更显著地降低地表温度。从整体来看,植被覆盖度每增加10%,森林降温0.12-0.39℃;灌丛降温0.1-0.2℃;草地降温0.049-0.075℃。综上,内蒙古作为全球气候变化最为敏感的区域之一,研究植被的夏季降温效应能够为内蒙古的气候调节服务评估提供重要的理论支撑及案例参考。